GRIMES, Iowa (WHO) – A Grimes, Iowa family took a leap of faith in order to help one of their own.

Last year, 12-year-old Alex Kirton went in for a routine checkup at the Grimes Family Medicine Center.

His results came back with high cholesterol and lipids setting off red flags for his parents Angie and Shad.

“It was a big wake-up call when we got Alex’s results back and we said let`s do this as a family we needed to get it in gear,” says Angie Kirton.

Angie, her husband and their 15-year-old daughter Riley also got tested; the results motivated everyone to step up to the plate.

“We talked lots of tears and the reality came out finally. I shared with my family my feelings of being a failing parent and where we`ve gotten to,” says Angie Kirton.

Through help from their care coordinator Cora Duncan the family picked up healthy eating habits, workout tips and set goals to drop the weight.

“I’ve worked with a lot of individuals but never a family and to see a family so fired up and so willing to change it`s a good thing,” says R.N. Cora Duncan.

The Kirton’s are part owners at Smokey D’s BBQ Restaurant and travel a lot for BBQ competitions.

Shad says being in the kitchen he would often grab whatever was a quick meal and has now been able to change those habits.

“It was a lot of fried food it was quick easy and just got into the routine of it but to look back I can`t believe I used to eat that and that much of it and now because of what we`re doing I don`t crave that stuff anymore,” says Shad Kirton.

Angie says while there have been some bumps along the way, the family is committed to staying to course and changing their lifestyle for good.

“It`s a battle it`s not easy and it`s nice that we`re doing it as a family and everyone is on board and cheering each other on,” says Angie Kirton.

The Kirton’s started their weight-loss journey last July and are down 222 pounds as a family.

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